Electric water-heater.



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C. FEARSON.

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C. 0. PEARSON.

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER.

APPLscATloN mio MAY 26, :915.

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"ELECI'RIC WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY26,1915.

Patented June 20, 1916.

C. O. PEARSON. ELECTHWC WATER HEMER APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. 1915.

Patented June 20, 1916.

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CHARLES 0. PEARSOYN, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK` ELECTRIC WATER-HEATER.

Application mea may 2e, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES O. PEARsoN, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and a resident of Brooklyn, Kings county, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricTater-Heaters, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. Myinvention relates to electric heatin apparatus and particularly to suchas are adapted to receive water at a low temperatu're and to deliver thesame continuously at either its normal temperature or at a relativelyhigh temperature, the flow of vwater and the control of electric energybe ing'dependent upon a single shut-oil? valve. One object of myinvention is to provide a simple and compact device of the afore saidcharacter that shall comprise a quickacting circuit switching deviceoperatively connected to a shut-0H valve, a tortuous assage in aninsulating body through w ich the water is conducted, and electricheating means disposed directly in the fluid passage.

1t has been my aim to provide a compact wzater heater,vcapable ofheatingA a relatively large quantity of water continuously and arrangedso that practically all of the heat generated in the electric heatingelement of the device is taken up by the water; in other words, a deviceof la relatively large capacity and high efficiency.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be set forthhereinafter and in order that my invention may be thoroughly understood,Will now proceed to describe the samey in the followin specification andthen point out the novel eatures thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, throughthe valve stem, of an electric water heater arranged and constructed inaccordance with m invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view`of the lower partof the heater, the section being taken through the outlet on 'the line2-2 of F i g. 1. Fig; 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3-3 ofFig. 1. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are sectional plan views takenrespectively on the lines 4-4, 5 5, 64-6, 8 8 and 9-9 of 'Fig 1. Fig. 7is a' artal elevation which is ,also in section and-1s taken on the line7-7 of Fips.)

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1 9 1 Serial No. 30,497.

The structure illustrated comprises a body 10 substantially cylindricalin form and made of cast metal. Depending from the body is a cylindricalbox or casing 11 which is lined and capped with insulation and containsa quick break electric switch and means for operating the same.

The body 10 has an rupwardly extending flange 12 which is internallythreaded and supports a cylindrical metal shell 13 having a cap 14screwed onto its upper end. Within the shell 13 are a plurality ofcylindrical blocks 15, 16, 17, 18 which` are preferably formed ofporcelain or some other hard molded insulating material and are cementedand fired, or otherwise sealed together to virtually constitute a singleblock of electric and heat insulatin material. hereinafter explained the)locks are constructed to form grooves which provide a continuoustortuous passage through which water flows and in which'is disposed theheating element of the device.

The cylindrical body 10 is hollow being subdivided into two chambers 1f)and Q0 and a recess 21, and isclosed at the top. A tubular projection 22extends downwardly from the body and constitutes an inlet with which anysuitable pipe connection may be made, which inlet is adapted to be shutoli' or opened into-either the chamber l) or the chamber 20.

A relatively small passage 23 connects the chambers 19 and 20 whichopposite and in alinement with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. Thusshoulders 24 are formed adjacent to the opening in the passage 23 ineach of the chambers. Against these shouldeisA in the respectivechambers, valves 25 and "26, which are similar to cach other instructure, are pressed by springe 27.

The re ess 21 extendsl substantially at right anges to the common centerline of the cha Ybers 19 and Q0, and it has a hollow extensidii 28 whichis in communication with the passage Q3. 'A controlling or actuatingblock 29 is rotatively mounted in the eXtensidn'iQS of the recess 2l andhas an eccentric finger 30 which extends into the passage Q3 as clearlyshown in Figs. 1 and As hereinafter explained, the actuating block 29'has an additional function to perform and is provided with beveled gearteeth as shown at 31, for the purpose of actuating a vertical shaft 3. Ashaft 33 mhwwcw WN.

extends outwardly through a suitable plug 2H in the opening otl thechamber and a stutting box 35.

'1" e handle lever 3h is secured to the outer end ot' the shat't 11? sothat it may be turned conveniently. The stutling box is provided with acap 3T and the shatt 2&3 has a collar 3S which tits into a recess tt) inthc inner end ot' the plug- I-l, a spring 4t) being interposed betweenthe bottom of the recess and the collar and tending to force the shaftand the actuating block 2t) inwardly. This structure is such as to sealthe recess Q1 from the passage 23 and the chambers 1S) and :'20, sincethe latter are tluid containing chambers while the recess 2l is onlyintended as a suitable means ot support for the actuating parts of thefluid-control valves and electric circuit controlling switch.

lVhen the shaft or post 2,3 is in one position, which is convenientlydetermined by setting the handle 23o to occupy a vertical position` theeccentric finger 3() is in a central position between the valves )5 and2G. Under these conditions both valves are closed as shown in Fig. 2.

'hen the handle is turned in one direction, the eccentric moves to theright in Fig. 2 and opens the valve 21', thereby opening communicationdirectly from the. inlet passage 22 to the chamber 20, while if thehandle is moved in the opposite direction the eccentric moves to theleft in Fig. 2 and pushes back the valve 25, establishing communicationfrom the inlet passage 2; to the chamber 19.

As hereinafter explained. a tortuous heating passage is connected at itsinlet end to the chamber 19 and at its outlet end to the chamber 2t) andaccordingly liquid either flows through the passage or is dischargeddirectly without flowing through the heating passage.

As-abovc intimated.y the chamber 3U communicatcs with the outlet whichis designated by reference character l1 and which is screwed into theinternally-threaded open end of the chamber.

As already pointed out. the valves 25 and 2G are similar' to each otherand it is only necessary to describe one ot' them in detail. Forexample. the valve 25 comprises a tubular clamping .socket` Yl2 which isinternally-threaded to receive the shank 43 of a cooperating clampingmember 44, the valve washer being hollow to permit the shank 43 toextend through it and being clamped between they members Yl2 and 4l.

'l`he valve is guided at one end by the clamping member -ll which isloosely fitted into the passage 253 and at the opposite end by a plug/15 which has a recess 4G to receive ther tubular extension of theclamping member 42. This tubular member slides freely in the recess andthe spring Q7 is interposed between the plug 45 and the shoulder 4T nearthe opposite end of the clamping member. The spring thus tends to closeth" valve as already explained.

'l`he valve 26 is similar to the valve 2 except that at its outer end itis guided by a slotted bushing -lb' which is set into a recess in theoutlet 4l, the spring in this instance being interposed between thebushing and the shoulder ot' the clamping member instead of between theplug and the shoulder otl the clamping member as in the case of thevalve 25.

The porcelain block 15 which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4 has ahole 5o which extends through it and communicates through a groove 49'with a hole 19 in the body 1t). The hole opens into the chamber 1S)which, as already explained, may be opened into the inlet passage 22 ofthe device. The block 15 is furthermore provided with a tortuons groove51 which communicates at one end with the hole 50 and at its oppositeend with a hole 52 in the block 16 above. This block has a tortuousgroove 53 which opens at one end into the hole 52 and communicates atits opposite end with a hole 54 in the block 17 above. This block alsohas a tortuous groove 55 communicating with the hole 54 at one end andat its opposite end with a hole 5U in the block 1S above. The top block1S has a tortuous groove 5T interposed between the hole 5G and a centralhole. 5S. Ilach of the blocks 15. 16. and 17 is also provided with asimilar hole marked with the same reference character all ot` whichcoperate to provide a vertical passage through which luid luay flowdownwardly after passing through the sut-cessive tortuous grooves. rl`heblock 15 at the bottom is furthermore provided with a short groove 5fton its bottom surface which establishes communication trom the hole 5Sto a hole G0 opening into the outlet chamber 20.

As shown in Fig. l. a pair ot' electric circuit terminal postsl (11 and(t2 extend upwardly t'rom within the hollow body 1() into and throughthe block 15. 'lhe terminal (32. as cl xarly shown in l"ig. T. isprovided with a sleeve (33 ot' insulating material'having a recessedenlargement (34 at its lower end and at its opposite end a projection(i5 which extends through a suitable hole (3G in the body and into arecess (3T in the block 15.

The terminal comprises a socket member (3S which is disposed in therecess G4 of the insulatii'ig sleeve and is secured to the bottom end ofa stud (3S) which vtorms the body of the terminal. This stud extendsupwardly through a hole in the block 15 and into a recess 71 in its topsurface.

rl`he terminal (31 is similar to the terminal (32 and is similarlymounted relative to the body 1() of the device but its shank instead ofextending completely through the lavo block 15 extends only into arecess 72 in its lower surface corresponding to the recess 67.

The recess 71 has a small passage or slot establishing communication tothe groove 51 and the recess :72 is similarly connected to the groove 59in the bottom surface of the block 15.

The resistance element of the heater may be formed in any suitable Wayand as shown in the drawings it comprises a wire of resist ance materialformed into a helix 73. One

nd of this helix is twisted around and soliered or otherwise securelyfastened mechanically, as Well as electrically connected to t e stud 69of the terminal member 62. The eliX extends through the grooves 51, 53,55 and 57 and through the central hole 58, its opposite end beingconnected to the terminal 61 as clearly shown in F ig. 4. Illheresistance element is thus disposed directlyin the water passage but itobviously will not interfere with the flow of Water therethrough.;4

The switch box or casing 11 is lined with insulation and closed by aninsulating cap 74 as already explained. The tubular extension 22 of thebody which constitutes the water inlet of the device, extends completelythrough the box and constitutesa support on which a sleeve 75 isrotatively mounted. Secured to this sleeve and insulated from it are apair of switch members 76 and 77 each having a pair of blades 78 and 79.

The switch blades are adapted to respectively cooperate with stationaryswitch contacts 8O and 81. The arrangement of parts is such that Whenthe sleeve 75 and its at tached parts occupy the position shown in Fig.5, which is accentuated by the engagement of a pawl S2 with a notch S3,the cirn cuits of the electric heater are interrupted on each side ofthe line in a well known manner, and when the sleeve is mounted to aposition accentuated by the engagement ot another pawl 84 with a notch85, the circuits are closed.

The pawls 82 and 84 are mounted to slide in statlonary supports 86 and87 and are pressed into engagement with a notched flange 88 of thesleeve, by means of springs sa and 9o. y l

A spring 91 is coiled about and secured at an intermediate point to thesleeve 75 and its ends are arranged to engage a stationary post 92 insuch a way as to cause the sleeve to move rapidly from one of itsaccentuated positions to the other, thereby providing a quick make andbreak action of the switch. This is accomplished in the followingmanner: Vhen the ring 93 is turned in a clock wisc direction7 Fig. 5,the spring 91 is tight cned but the sleeve 75 which carries the switchblades does not more until a cam 9!) extending from the upper part ofring 93, as is shown in this Fig. 5, engages pawl 82 arid pushes it backout of notch 83. Then the sleeve 75 has a quick movement until pawl 84arrests it by moving into notch 85. At this point the switch blades78-79 will be in engagement with the contacts 5U-81. On returning to theopen position of the switch, the pawl 84 holds sleeve 75 until re leasedby cam D9, and pawl 82 entering notch arrests and holds the sleeve inthe position shown with the switch open.

A ring 93 having a toothed gear segment 94 is mounted on the sleeve 75and is secured thereto. lt is adaptednto mesh. with a gear wheel 95secured to the lower end of the shaft 32. A bevel gear 96 is seem-ed to,or forms a part ol, the shaft Z512 at its upper end and with the bevelgear ill. The shaft 32 is mounted in a suitable bearing 97 and isobviously rotated to throw the switch into one position or the other asthe handle 36 is turned to open one or tl' other of the valves 25 and25S.

The arrangement of parts is such that when the valve is turned toconnect the water inlet passage directly to the outlet chamber 20,electric energy is not supplied to the heater, the switch being in itsopen position. With the handle thrown to its opposite position to openthe valve 25 and establish a water passage from the inlet throughchamber 1l), the tcrtuons passage in the blocks l5 to 18 inclusive, andfinally out through the hole and the chamber 20, the switch is closed.

Under the last-named conditions. the eiectric energy is supplied to theresistance element which is disposed in the tortuous passage and. theheat generated in the element is transferred directly' to the water.i/f'llhe.

resistance designcrgl to raise the tcnipemture of the water to thedegree desired. Heat is supplied to the water during the time it flowsthrough the passage and it is only necessary to open the valve andpermit the `water to flow through the passage for a short time until acontinuous flow of hot water is commenced.

The blocks l5,l 16, 17 and. 18 in addition to being cemented together,are prearably held together by rivetsor bolts 100.

It is, obvious that this apparatus may be used with other liquids thanwater, and that. structural variations may he effected within the spiritand scope of my invention. I intend that only `such limitations beimposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

What l claim is:

l. An electric heater comprising an insulating body having aplurality ofsections, grooves in the adjacent surfaces of the sections togetherforming a conduit and holes posed in the passage and arranged to permitthe llow of lluid therethrough.

2. An electric heater comprising an insulating bodv having a pluralityotl sections. grooves in the adjacent surfaces of the sections togethertorn'iing a conduit and holes through the sections conununicatilm withthe grooves to constitute a continuous and tortuous passage through theinsulating body, and a helical resistance. wire heater element disposedin the passage.

3. An electric heater comprising a pluralitv of cylindrical blocks othard molded insulating material adapted to be assembled end to end, theend surfaces of the blocks being provided with tortuou.-y grooves andthe blocks having holes through them to connect successively the groovesto form a single tortuous passage through the body, means for unitingthe blocks into a unitar \v body, and a heater element disposed in thepassage and arranged to permit the ll'iw ot' fluid to be heatedthla'etln'ough.

4. An electric he ter comprising a plurality of cylindrical blocks ofhard molded insulating material adapted to be assembled end to end, theend surfaces of the blocks being provided with tortuous grooves and theblocks having holes through them to conneet successivelvv the grooves toform a single tortuous passage through the body, means foi uniting theblocks into a unitary bodv, and a helical resistance wire heater elementdisposed in the passage.

5. An electric water heater comprising a metal body having a pair otopposite chamf bers, a passage Ijoining the chan'ibers, and an inletopening into the passage, a pair ol' valves located in `the respectivechambers and adapted to close the openings from the chambers into thepassage; and a heater comprising an insulating bodv having a pluralityof sections, grooves in the adjacent surfaces of the sections togetherforming a conduit and holes through the sections conimunicatiug with thegrooves to constitute a continuous and tortuous passage through theinsulating bodv, and an electric heater element disposed in the passageand arranged to permitothe Ilow ol tluid therethrough, said passagebeing interposed between the chainbers.

(5. An electric water heater comprising a metal body having a pair ofopposite chambers, a passage joining the chambers, an inlet opening intothe passage, a pair ot valves located in the, respective chambers andadapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage, and ahelical resistance wire heater element disposed in the passage, saidpassage being interposed between the chambers.

T. n electric water heater comprising a metal bodv having a pair ot'opposite chambers. a pas-age joining the chambers. an inlet opening intothe passage, a pair of valv es located in the respective chambers andadapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage, ahelical resistance wire. heater element disposed in the passage. saidpassage being interposed between the chambers. an outlet secured to thebodv and communicating with one of said chambers, and a controller foropening one or the other ol' said valves.

8. An electric water heater comprising a metal body having a pair ofopposite chambers, a passage joining thel chambers, an inlet openinginto the passage, a pair ot' valves located in the respective chambersand adapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage. ahelical resistance wire heater element disposed in the passage, saidpassage being interposed between the chambers, an outlet secured to thebody and communicating with one ol said chambers, a recess in the bodyopening into the passage between the chambers, and a controllerrotativelv mounted in the recess and having an eccentric projectionextending into the passage and adapted to actuate the valves.

9. An electric water heater comprising a metal bodv having a pair ofopposite chambers. a passage joining the chambers, an inlet opening intothe passage, a pair of valves located in the respective chambers andadapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage, ahelical resistance wire heater element disposed in the passage, saidpassage being interposed between the chambers, an outlet secured to thebody and communicating with one ot said chambers, a recess in'the bodyopening into the passage between the chambers, a controller rotativelymounted in the recess and having an eccentric projection extending intothe passage and adapted to actuate the valves, a switch for controllingthe electric circuit of the heater, and an operative connectionbetweensthe controller and the switch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18 day of May,1915.

CHARLES O. PEARSON.

